An unabashed hard rock record that sticks to its roots, Terraformed by Fantømex is gritty, raw, wholly real. The compilation of songs on the record have the Asheville group delving into topics of recency, being heavily influenced by both worldly and personal events over the past 2 years. Everything from the mundanity and the struggles of the Pandemic, the illusion of control, and the constant and perennial search for real love find their way into the themes. Having recently added a bassist, Max Miller, to their line up, the group are able to find more throttle and body in their record. It feels more layered, more substantive, and increasingly powerful. At just four tracks long, it’s a succinct EP that delivers on all cylinders for any math rock fan.
The frenetic guitar work on the opening piece Fantomcatz, particularly towards the songs final minutes, will have you entirely transfixed. The vocal recordings across the record, slightly submerged and blurry, really give that distinctive garage feel. On Fantomcatz, it delves into an almost metal feel with a screaming conclusion. There’s a certain sense of catharsis you get when listening to Terraformed that’s probably general to the genre as a whole. It feels like a pure outpouring of energy, not good, not bad, but energy as a whole. You can’t help but feel a slight sense of exhaustion or overwhelming comprehension as the sheer power and constant explosions of energy that this group unleash leave you almost refreshed but tired.
If you’re a math rock fan, be ready for a fantastic exploration of the genre by a group who’s got guts, innovation, and a whole lot of expression.